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Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

  • Surgical Symposium Contribution
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Abstract

Introduction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may present with heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, chronic cough, laryngitis, or even asthma. The clinical presentation of GERD is therefore varied and poses certain challenges to the physician, especially given the limitations of the diagnostic testing.

Discussion

The evaluation of patients with suspected GERD might be challenging. It is based on the evaluation of clinical features, objective evidence of reflux on diagnostic testing, correlation of symptoms with episodes of reflux, evaluation of anatomical abnormalities, and excluding other causes that might account for the presence of the patient’s symptoms.

Conclusions

The diagnostic evaluation should include multiple tests, in addition to a thorough clinical examination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston VA Healthcare System, Harvard Medical School, 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, Boston, MA, 02132, USA

    P. Marco Fisichella

  2. Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Ciro Andolfi

  3. Department of Surgery, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Brighton, MA, USA

    George Orthopoulos

Authors
  1. P. Marco Fisichella
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  2. Ciro Andolfi
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  3. George Orthopoulos
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Correspondence to P. Marco Fisichella.

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Fisichella, P.M., Andolfi, C. & Orthopoulos, G. Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. World J Surg 41, 1672–1677 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-017-3953-3

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